Indiana Department of Transportation

Warmer weather means it is time for spring cleaning – and Indiana’s highways are no exception. Each year, INDOT and Adopt-A-Highway groups conduct a major statewide effort to clean up Indiana’s highways during Trash Bash.

For more than a dozen years, INDOT workers, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers and Department of Correction (DOC) crews have joined forces to spring clean Indiana interstates during Trash Bash. Each year, hundreds of tons of trash are collected and Indiana highways are spruced up in time for the summer driving season.

In 2014, for example, clean-up crews collected 16,471 bags of trash and 9,394 cubic yards of loose debris from 1,486 miles of state highways and rights-of-way. More than 2,400 Adopt-A-Highway volunteers logged 10,270 hours in this effort, along with additional hours by INDOT and DOC crews.

Motorists should be on the lookout for crew-up crews along Indiana highways. When drivers encounter a work crew, they should slow down and be alert for changing traffic patterns.

Costly Problem

Litter is a costly problem. According to Keep America Beautiful, Inc., people litter because:

They feel no sense of ownership, even though their taxes pay for the upkeep of roads, parks and beaches.

They believe it is someone else's job to pick up after them.

Litter has already accumulated.

Although motorists and pedestrians are often blamed for littering along roadsides, there are actually seven primary sources. These include household trash handling and placement, business dumpsters, loading docks, construction and demolition truck loads, uncovered truck loads, pedestrians, and motorists.

Litter is blown away by wind and traffic or carried by water. It moves until trapped by a curb, building or fence. Once litter has accumulated, it invites people to add more.

Each year, INDOT must spend money and employee man hours picking up litter along state highways and roads. This money and time could be better spent improving Indiana's roadways or rest areas rather than litter pick-up.

Make sure trash cans have lids that can be securely fastened. If you have curbside trash collection, don't put loose trash in boxes or untied bags.

Tie papers in a bundle before placing them in a curbside recycling bin.

If you own a business, check dumpsters daily to see that top and side doors are closed.

Report areas where people have illegally dumped garbage and debris to your local transportation, public works or conservation office, and ask that the material be removed.

If you or a member of your family is involved in a civic group, scouting or recreational sports program, encourage the group to join the Adopt-A-Highway Program. Visit the Adopt-A-Highway Program web page or call 1-866-849-1368 for more information.